Christ's Death & Resurrection

It is "Good" Friday. My thoughts can be expressed in 2 songs by Matt Maher, my new favourite Christian artist. His new album, Alive Again, is my new-found friend. EACH song touches something going on in my life right now. Two songs are especially appropriate for this weekend. The first time I heard the first song, I didn't necessarily agree with the theology. Then in looking at the lyrics inside the CD case, I saw that these 2 songs go together-the first one refers to Christ's death, the second to Christ's resurrection. TOTALLY AWESOME!! I recommend this album!!!!!!

You were on the Cross

Lost, everything is lost
And everything I've loved before is gone
Alone, like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart
Where were You when all that I've hoped for,
Where were You when all that I've dreamed
Came crashing down in shambles around me?
You were on the cross
Pain
Could You take away the pain?
If I find someone to blame
Would it make my life seem easier?

Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me
And where were You when sin stole my innocence,
Where were You when I was ashamed
Hiding in a life I wish I'd never made
You were on the cross
My God my God
All along, all along
You were on the cross
You died for us
All along, all along
You were on the cross
Victorious!
All along, all along
You were there in all my suffering
You were there in doubt and fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear...

Christ is Risen

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come Awake, Come Awake
Come and rise up from the grave
We are one with Him again
Come Awake, Come Awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but Heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead.
He's alive! He's alive!

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come Awake, Come Awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come Awake, Come Awake
Come and rise up from the grave!

Lost and Found

Just want to share this song of hope by Robin Mark:

Lost and Found

When the rain falls, and it some days will,
and the pavement under my feet,
sparkles silver and gold, in reflected light
that I otherwise wouldn't have seen.

And when the storm comes and the strong wind blows
I will bow my head to push through;
And every step that I take, I will watch and pray
and be sure my foothold is true.

Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

And in the dry place, in the wilderness
when Your word seems so far away,
Oh I will think of my life, and I will bless Your name;
For Your promises never have failed.

And when the night falls, at the end of days,
I will lift my eyes to the heavens,
and we will shine like the stars, for eternal days;
In Your presence forever and e'er.

So, Jesus, don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

Lost and found, lost and found
I am but a lost and found
For can there be a sweeter sound,
than singing with the lost and found?

Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I wanna walk that sacred ground;
For You are Master of it all
And I am but a lost and found.

Faith for the future

Anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.Heb. 11:6 (The Message)

Life is a struggle right now--not on the outside but on the inside I'm struggling with an issue. It is something I gave over to God 2 1/2 years ago--at that time He promised His hand would be in it. That it would be okay. I had peace then. Now I have lost that peace. I go through the day sort of numb to really enjoying life and all God has for me each day. I go through the night restless, waking to a headache which I know is a sign of stress--and a lack of peace.
God promised that He would be in the situation--that it would all be okay. Right now, it's not okay and I've lost perspective.
How did those men in Hebrews 11 do it? How did they have peace from day-to-day, not wondering WHEN God would fulfill His promises? They didn't even SEE His promises fulfilled in their lifetime. Oh my! How long Lord? How long? Will I have to spend the rest of my life believing without ever seeing? I don't know if my heart can take it. Lord, give me the ability to persevere--A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, as Eugene Peterson's book so aptly puts it. I think I need to re-read that book.
What I need, like those men of Heb. 11, is faith. A faith that does not see and yet believes. Then the peace will come.

Okay, on the previous blog I tried to add a link to my latest short story but couldn't figure out how to do so. Sorry. If you really want to read my story, I'll have to email it to you.

English 381

Well, I am finally getting to the course I signed up for through Athabasca University: English 381--Creative Writing in Prose. And I'm LOVING it, although it IS work. It requires 5 short story assignments of which I have just finished the first (see link if you're interested). On to the second---my problem is that I have so many ideas running through my head I don't know which to choose.

However, I have discovered something about myself and where BEST to find and hone down topics, threads of stories and even sentences for my stories. They come from God. Sounds simple enough. But no kidding, when I'm worshipping God whether through music at church or at home or even in the car, through the reading of His Word, or during a Bible study or when I'm helping someone in need--THAT'S when the Holy Spirit brings an idea to my head. It is WAAAAAAY cool. I am in AWE of God and why He would even choose to minister to me and answer my creative cries in this way. Simply in awe that He cares--but He does. And so I choose to honour and affirm life through my words, even if it's just simply to lay at His feet. How could I do any less. He gives and I simply choose to give back.